Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
June 14, 2017

Bartender Ryan Adamson tasted gold last year, but this year he was determined to take top honours in the Taste of the Caribbean event held in Miami last week. And that he did.

Adamson, who walked away with bragging rights and the title of Bartender of the Year, was yesterday celebrated by his colleagues at Mount Gay Visitors Centre.

“I won a gold medal last year, so as a result of that I was actually quite hungry,” a humble Adamson said. “And it so worked out that the team took me. Coming into this year, I felt kind of bad that I only got the gold medal and I didn’t cop the entire prize. But the team comforted me by saying I didn’t do too badly. They were satisfied, I wasn’t. So this year, I made up in my mind that the cocktail I was going to take should be good enough to get me the prize. And I believe the team agreed with me and I had three solid cocktails.”

Ryan Adamson showing off some of his prizes.Bartender of the Year Ryan Adamson.

Adamson said he felt euphoric after realizing that his dream had come true.

“The feeling was great – achieving something that we wanted for over a year,” he said, adding that he listened to the song, My Dream by Nesbeth every day at 4:55 a.m. from last year until this year. “My dream is to live my dream, and my goal is to live my goal, and I accomplished it at the end of the day.”

Since Adamson took top honours this year, he will not be able to compete next year, but he is hoping to give back to the team in some form.

“I will see what the team has in store for me,” he said.

Bartender coach for this year, Jamal Bowen, said he was proud of Adamson to whom he will now hand over the coaching baton.

Other members of the wining culinary team were on hand and also received gifts from Mount Gay before they mixed and mingled with invited guests.

The Alleyne School community is excited about our comrade Ryan’s recent and continuous success, particularly that of being awarded the title of “Bartender of the Year” at the recent “Taste of the Caribbean Event” held in Miami. Ryan’s success, yet again, further demonstrates how he is living his Alleyne School Motto “Aliis Non Sibi” / “For Others, Not Self”. Indeed, this win not only benefits Adamson’s career development, but even as important, is the positive impact his success is likely to have on Barbados as a tourist destination, and certainly on the ambitions of those Barbadian Bartenders who come after him….Again, congratulations to Ryan, from his Alleyne School comrades!!

The Alleyne School community is excited about our comrade Ryan’s recent and continuous success, particularly that of being awarded the title of “Bartender of the Year” at the recent “Taste of the Caribbean Event” held in Miami. Ryan’s success, yet again, further demonstrates how he is living his Alleyne School Motto “Aliis Non Sibi” / “For Others, Not Self”. Indeed, this win not only benefits Adamson’s career development, but even as important, is the positive impact his success is likely to have on Barbados as a tourist destination, and certainly on the ambitions of those Barbadian Bartenders who come after him….Again, congratulations to Ryan, from his Alleyne School comrades!!

So proud of your persistence & commitment to achieve the best -keep on dreaming – keeping on reaching for your goals – keep on embracing accomplishments everyday – all while staying humble #DoingThingsOthersDreamAbout

So proud of your persistence & commitment to achieve the best -keep on dreaming – keeping on reaching for your goals – keep on embracing accomplishments everyday – all while staying humble #DoingThingsOthersDreamAbout